Sivaganga Custodial Death: Temple Guard Ajith's Autopsy Confirms Injuries, Sparks Protests

Tamil Nadu: A 28-year-old man named Ajith Kumar has died in police custody in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu.

Ajith Kumar, who worked as a security guard at the Madapuram Kaliamman Temple in Sivaganga district, was detained by the police last Friday for questioning in a theft case. The theft involved 80 grams of gold allegedly stolen from an 80-year-old devotee and her daughter while their car was being parked at the temple. Reports suggest that Ajith did not know how to drive and had taken help from another person to park the car, returning the keys to the devotees after an hour.

Following a complaint lodged at the Thirupuvanam police station, reportedly under pressure from a DMK functionary close to the complainant, the police detained Ajith and his brother Naveen for questioning.

According to Naveen, the brothers were not taken to the police station for formal questioning but were instead driven around and taken to a cow shed and a lake area near the temple, where they were allegedly beaten by the police. Naveen claims he saw Ajith collapse after being tortured by the officers.

The family alleges that the police did not inform them about Ajith’s detention, and they were only informed about his death after they had filed a missing complaint. Reports state that no FIR had been registered against Ajith at the time of his death.

The incident has taken a political turn, with AIADMK alleging that DMK functionaries threatened the victim’s family and attempted to silence them with a promise of ₹5 lakh compensation and a government job. Media reports suggest that the family has since remained away from the public and media attention.

Following public outrage and allegations of custodial torture, six policemen have been suspended in connection with Ajith’s death. Sivaganga District SP Ashish Rawat confirmed that an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause of death.

Officials noted that while Tamil Nadu has witnessed incidents of custodial deaths in the past, including the Jeyaraj and Bennicks case during the AIADMK government, immediate action was taken in Ajith’s case with the suspension of the officers involved. However, concerns remain over the alleged political pressure and the manner of police enquiry that led to the death.